Willy Rosen
Willy Julius Rosen ( born July 18, 1894 in Magdeburg when William Julius Rosenbaum, † October 28, 1944 ( according to other sources: September 30, 1944) in the concentration camp Auschwitz -Birkenau ) was a German comedian, composer and lyricist. He was one of the most famous entertainers in Germany in the twenties of the 20th century.
Life
Willy Rosen was born the son of Amelie Rosenbaum, born Mercker, and the merchant Arthur Rosenbaum and was of Jewish descent. He attended King William High School in Magdeburg and learned to play the piano. He then took up an apprenticeship at the Berlin clothing company clothes wholesale, which he completed successfully.
In 1915 he was drafted into military service in the infantry on the Eastern Front in Russia, and there suffered a serious wound. He already wrote small texts and songs for a front theater. During the war, he founded the chapel of roses.
Weimar Republic
He then returned to Berlin in 1919 and found first employment at his old employer. In the evening he played in cafes. A first activity in the cabaret was the same year in Berlin cabaret Schwarzer Kater. Other venues were the cabaret The spider, rocket and cabaret founded in 1924, the comedian. Among his patrons were the music publisher Wilhelm Meisel and Harry Waldau, Paul and Peter O'Montis axis. In 1924 he wrote his own musical comedies. His frequent appearances and his piano accompaniment of silent films in large movie theaters led to a growing popularity. Especially his piano accompaniments with many performances on the day, even in children's performances, enjoyed great popularity. Trademark was performing the recited before every gig phrase: " Words and Music by me," which became a catchphrase soon. Willy roses combined catchy melodies with witty lyrics and soon joined in on the great German houses. He toured Germany, but also in Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Czechoslovakia and Belgium. He joined the radio on and composed and wrote the lyrics for the upcoming sound film. He was also seen in some supporting roles. He has published over 50 records.
In 1927 he came at the invitation of the Mayor of Magdeburg Hermann Beims with great success at the Deutsches Theater exhibition in his hometown. Twice he won the Golden Violin in the German song contest.
In September 1931, he also officially took his previous stage name Rose as a last name.
National Socialism
With the transfer of power to the Nazis roses was granted a performance ban in Germany. He first gave some guest performances abroad, but returned to 1936 again returned to Berlin. After living in Switzerland, Austria and Czechoslovakia, he emigrated to the Netherlands in 1937 and settled in Scheveningen. There he founded with other Berlin emigrants the theater of celebrities. The ensemble includes Siegfried Arno, Trude Berliner, Rita George, Max Ehrlich, Hortense Raky, Willy Stettner, Szöke Szakall and Erich Ziegler.
After the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1942, the theater was banned. His friend Kurt Robitschek organized in New York solidarity concerts for roses and raised money for a crossing Rosen in the United States. However, the flight from Europe was no longer possible. Rosen was imprisoned in a concentration camp Westerbork, where he worked on the designed by Max Ehrlich theater evenings. From there he was sent to Theresienstadt in the " Magdeburg Barracks ". From there he was deported to Auschwitz. Here he was assassinated on 28 October 1944 in a gas chamber.
Posthumous honors
The playwright Verona Forster wrote about the life of Rosen's a play. In 2006, his hometown of Magdeburg named in his honor as a street Willy Rose Street.
Works
Rosen published during his lifetime more than 50 records. Some of his pieces appeared later on CD.
- Willy Rosen - Words and Music by me, 23 pieces
- Willy Rosen - If I can go no further text ... 1925-1935, 24 pieces
Supporting roles he played in the movies:
- The tender relatives, 1930
- Aafa Sundries II, 1932